Voters in Orleans Parish approved a school maintenance proposition during the runoff election last weekend.That means a 4.97 mill property tax will be renewed and redirected. Voters overwhelmingly passed the measure Saturday by 59 percent.MOBILE APP USERS: Watch Report HereBut it's not a new tax, it's actually something that was already in place."Most of it was approved in the 1990's by voters for the repayment of debt we couldn't use it for any other purpose," said Stan Smith Superintendent of Orleans Parish.But on Saturday voters gave permission to extend the tax and use it now for the upkeep and maintenance of 80 campuses across the Parish."Hopefully it will put us in a position in the future rather than having to go borrow money for capital improvements we already have the dedicate mills that's providing the fund and to take care of a lot of those improvements," said Smith.He says there will be a lot of accountability to make sure the money is being used correctly. He wants students in Orleans Parish to concentrate on learning, and never again have to worry about leaky roofs or broken air conditioners."There are audit requirements our auditors will have to at the end of the year do an audit to show the funds are being used for their intended purposes," said Smith.The tax was set to expire in 2021 but now is extended to 2025. The money will gradually move to maintenance and repair as the debt is being paid off.

NEW ORLEANS —

Voters in Orleans Parish approved a school maintenance proposition during the runoff election last weekend.

That means a 4.97 mill property tax will be renewed and redirected. Voters overwhelmingly passed the measure Saturday by 59 percent.

But it's not a new tax, it's actually something that was already in place.

"Most of it was approved in the 1990's by voters for the repayment of debt we couldn't use it for any other purpose," said Stan Smith Superintendent of Orleans Parish.

But on Saturday voters gave permission to extend the tax and use it now for the upkeep and maintenance of 80 campuses across the Parish.

"Hopefully it will put us in a position in the future rather than having to go borrow money for capital improvements we already have the dedicate mills that's providing the fund and to take care of a lot of those improvements," said Smith.

He says there will be a lot of accountability to make sure the money is being used correctly. He wants students in Orleans Parish to concentrate on learning, and never again have to worry about leaky roofs or broken air conditioners.

"There are audit requirements our auditors will have to at the end of the year do an audit to show the funds are being used for their intended purposes," said Smith.

The tax was set to expire in 2021 but now is extended to 2025. The money will gradually move to maintenance and repair as the debt is being paid off.